IT professional killed in QC road rage

MANILA, Philippines -  An information technology (IT) professional was shot dead by the driver of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) during a road altercation in Quezon City over the weekend.

Anthony Mendoza, 27, who worked at Hewlett Packard, died at the scene from gunshots to the face and head.

Initial investigation showed that Mendoza was on a Yamaha Fino motorcycle with his brother Michael when he was shot at the corner of D. Tuazon street and Quezon Avenue in Barangay Doña Josefa at around 3:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Witnesses said the gunman, who drove a white Toyota Land Cruiser (AHA 3454) sped off after the shooting. He was described as between 35 and 40 years old.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director, said they would coordinate today with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to identify the owner of the vehicle.

Eleazar said they could have tracked down the suspect if the LTO office was not closed on Sunday.

The victim’s brother told police that Mendoza and the driver of the Land Cruiser were engaged in an altercation prior to the shooting.

A police prober said the SUV nearly sideswiped the siblings’ motorcycle, prompting Mendoza to confront the suspect when they reached an intersection.

At the height of the argument, the SUV driver pulled out a gun and fired at Mendoza.

Wedding preparations

Mendoza’s family and friends sought justice for the victim, who was about to marry his girlfriend in Singapore.

They took to social media their dismay over the incident.

Photographs posted on Facebook by Erwin Ilao showed that Mendoza had been preparing for his wedding.

“His cousin just got him his wedding rings,” Ilao said.

Pictures posted by a netizen on Facebook showed Mendoza lying on the ground with his helmet on.